Announcement from Mr. Wu Hongbo, Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs

 

The Internet Governance Forum's Multistakeholder Advisory Group (MAG) has been instrumental in planning the programme of the annual IGF meetings.

We would like to express our gratitude to all past and present members of MAG who have donated their time, effort and valuable guidance in ensuring the smooth running of the IGF.

On behalf of the United Nations Secretary-General, the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) requests nominations from all stakeholder groups, according to the established principles and practices of MAG rotation and selection of its members. Governments, the private sector, civil society, and the technical and academic communities, should submit names of candidates from developed and developing countries as well as from economies in transition. Successful nominees will become part of the MAG for a period of one year and will contribute to the multistakeholder consultation process, bringing the perspectives of their respective groups on Internet governance.

Please submit the names of nominees to the IGF Secretariat by 16 December 2016, using the online submission form. 

Selection and Operation Principles:

(i) MAG members are selected to achieve a balance among all stakeholder groups, while retaining regional and gender representation, according to established procedures;

(ii) It is the prerogative of the UN Secretary-General to exercise his or her final judgement in selecting MAG representatives to ensure appropriate diversity and thus names put forward by stakeholder groups may not necessarily be selected for the final list.

(iii) All MAG members serve in their personal capacity but are expected to have extensive linkages with their respective stakeholder groups;

(iv) The main task of the MAG is to provide advice on the programme and main themes of the next meeting of the IGF;

(v) MAG members are expected to attend two to three MAG meetings in Geneva, Switzerland, in addition to the annual IGF meeting. They should participate actively in the preparatory process throughout the year, through engagement in the online multilateral dialogue among MAG members;

(vi) MAG meetings are open to Intergovernmental organizations.

Thank you and I look forward to the continued success of the Internet Governance Forum.